Getting my very first BKP for my LP

[Sirene]

Hey guys, I recently got my Gibson Les Paul Studio and I want to change the stock pickups with a pair of Bareknuckle pickups. I've heard so much good things about BKP, and I'm ready to empty my wallet to buy them for my LP.

So I need some recommendation in choosing the pickups since there's so many of them.
The pickups I have right now are Gibson stock 490R and 498T.  I like the lead tone on these but the rhythm is way too muddy for my taste. (However I can get a Slashy tone out of it through neck pickup which is what I like)

I'm looking for a versatile pickups but I will not be playing much metal or blues (Just time to time), mostly modern rock, classic rock, progressive rock, mostly rock really.  And I love playing solos from artists such as Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Neil Zaza, Santana, etc.

I've checked out a bunch of threads and soundclips, so far I like Mule pickups the best but I'm not really sure if they are suited for my playing style.

Also, would you recommend two different pickups for Neck and Bridge or calibrated pair?

Thank you so much.

[AdamB]

As well as asking for information on here, send Tim an email too, asking his opinion as he makes them after all.

What amp/cab/speakers are you using too?

All an important factor in choosing what's right for you :)

[Sirene]

Thanks for the reply.
I will try emailing Tim.

I'm using a Traynor YCV40 Combo all tube Amp. (But I'm changing the Tubes to JJ KT77's for a better British tone :D)
Also, I'm from Canada, Bareknuckles ships internationally right?

Thanks again

[Dubn 57 Goldtop]

Jack N' Coke!

[MrBump]

Personally, I think that Mules are a great all round rock pickup.

Mark.

[d1dsj]

Personally, I think that Mules are a great all round rock pickup.

Mark.

+1.

[AdamB]

Bareknuckles ships internationally right?

Sure do!

[Fikealox]

Mules in an LP are magical. I play similar stuff to the OP, and Mules did just fine. Infact, they were the first pickup (of any brand) that really blew me away.

[HTH AMPS]

I'm looking for a versatile pickups but I will not be playing much metal or blues (Just time to time), mostly modern rock, classic rock, progressive rock, mostly rock really.  And I love playing solos from artists such as Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Neil Zaza, Santana, etc.

Cold Sweats for the stuff you mentioned - I've just replaced the Mules in my Les Paul with Cold Sweats and the extra juice and note clarity from the CS set will be perfect.  I will say that I've never been a fan of ceramic magnet pickups, they always sound empty through the mids, but the CS is just fat, articulate and harmoncally rich.

[ailean]

I think Mules are pretty much the drop in replacement for standard LP pups (I'm not being rude about them! they are the like for like upgrade). If you want a more 'rocky' output then Cold Sweats woudl be a good option. I have Nailbombs in my LP and they work well too, the neck is nice and mellow, the bridge breaks up fast and really drives an amp.

However, I'm tempted by a set of Mules myself, all of the BK's I've played have been at the hotter end of the scale and I want to try something less so. Not that I dis-like my NB's I just wanna try something else too :)

[mikey5]

Wouldn't Crawlers be an option as well??

[geoffrey]

Crawlers sound great!  I have a set in my Gordon Smith SG2 and they are classic rock all the way.  Getting a Warpig or a Mississippi Queen for my Gordon Smith G60 soon.  I want to also get the lowdown on single coils for my Strat.  Off to look around the forum.  This is my first post!
G.

[hunter]

As it's a Studio, which has a tad less oomph than a regular LP and is missing the Maple cap, I would tend to opt for either a set of VHIIs or, if you prefer hotter and more ceramic brightness I go with earlier recommendation of chosing Cold Sweats.

I had a VHII set in a PRS SE Singelcut, which is a similar guitar to the LP Studio, and it was great. Now I have CSs in an all mahogany (like your LP) Hamer and it rocks out.

Choice really depends on the "hotness" you aim for.

[Matt77]

The Studio still has a maple cap. I thought they had the same oomph as a standard, but not a custom?
Mules are a great all rounder but I agree something a bit hotter may work better for Sirene

[99_not_out]

Emeralds?